What many players are now saying behind the scenes after PGA Tour proposes rule changes for 2026

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The PGA Tour are likely to shake things up in the near future, with the Player Advisory Council proposing several changes for 2026.

Among the changes proposed are reducing field sizes from 156 to 144, and reducing the number who maintain their PGA Tour card from the FedEx Cup to the top 100 as opposed to the top 125.

The number of PGA Tour cards awarded via the Korn Ferry Tour would also be reduced from 30 to 20 as part of the new rules from the 2026 season onwards.

Korn Ferry Tour members could benefit from the change, which comes as the PGA Tour looks to continue to evolve amid the presence of the rival LIV Golf tour.

Slower play could also be a possibility in seasons to come, with the PGA Tour proposing to decrease the fines handed out for such an approach.

What many PGA Tour players are saying about proposed rule changes

Back to the field size and eligibility changes, however, and immediate player reaction has now emerged via Rex Hoggard.

Speaking on Golf Channel, Hoggard explained: “I spoke with a handful of players this morning and most of the players I talked to agreed that this was something that needed to happen. Somebody I talked to even told me it is long overdue.

“If we were having this conversation just five years ago the pushback from players would be incredible. Not only are you losing playing opportunities but you are losing dramatically many playing opportunities, between 20 and 25%.

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“But I think it speaks to where we are at golf right now, everything that has happened in golf over the last three years, with the invention of LIV Golf and the unstabilizing effect that has had.

“I think the players, at least the ones I talked to today, understand that if the Tour is going to move forward it needs to reinvent its product and it has to start with this.”

PGA Tour feels need to evolve amid LIV Golf pressure

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan clearly feels the need to evolve the Tour as soon as possible, undoubtedly pressured by the rise of LIV Golf.

But it seems that the initial changes will be welcomed with open arms by PGA Tour members, who should want what is best for the sport.

At the same time, however, a decrease in field size, for example, will not be welcomed by those on the fringes.

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Having bounced between the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour in recent times, Michael Kim has mixed feelings about the proposed changes.

They come at a time when players are fighting for a top 125 place, but also amid ongoing discussions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, which is only set to confuse matters.